Will Smoking Hookah Negatively Effect my Nipples During Surgery?

Question

During breast reduction surgery will my nipples die if I have smoked hookah during 3 times during the past six months. I know the nurse said if I smoked there would be a risk but I never thought about it like this until I was at the hookah bar. Someone please help me because I am freaking out and I am scared. I've never smoked cigarettes or anything else in my entire life!

Lewis Albert Andres, MD · Answer

Hello! Thank you for your question! The issue with nicotine and any inhalant is that it 
also acts as a vasoconstrictor, clamping down of blood vessels. Blood 
supply is always of great concern during any surgical procedure, but 
especially in such a procedure as a a breast procedure where the viability of the
 nipple-areolar complex is obviously important. Since the vascularity to
 the area is already tenuous since it will be raised by cutting around 
the area, maximizing blood flow to the tissue is critical. Typically,

we recommend at least 6 weeks of smoking cessation prior to and at 
least 6 weeks after any surgical procedure. The longer, the better.  
Nicotine always increases the risk for infection, nipple necrosis, poor 
scarring, and 
wound complications, as well as other health consequences including blood clots.  The 
anesthesia risk is greater with general anesthesia as well as pulmonary 
issues/lung infections postoperatively.  I would 
discuss this with your surgeon prior to your procedure. Hope that this 
helps! Best wishes!

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question.

	Nicotine ( of any kind) is a vasoconstrictor and can lead to problems with blood flow to tissues and resulting wound healing problems. Furthermore, blood flow to the nipple/areola may be compromised during breast reduction surgery. Any form of nicotine usage should be stopped at least one month prior to surgery.

	Best wishes.

Andrew Miller, MD · Answer

Normally when having surgery it is recommended to stop smoking four weeks before and two weeks after surgery to aviod complications.  The nicotine in cigarettes or hookah constricts blood vessels which can affect healing especially in procedures like breast reduction or tummy tuck.  The fact that you are not an everyday smoker and only smoked hookah three times should not effect your healing process as long as it has been more than one month.  It is always best not to smoke anymore of it for health reasons.  If you have any other questions or concerns I would contact your surgeon.

Miguel Delgado, MD · Answer

You should be fine, three times should not have any effect, however patients are warned that they should not smoke at all 2 weeks before and 2 weeks after surgery as it can cause complications. And then we hope if a patient has stopped smoking for those 4 weeks they won't start again! Good Luck!

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

Occasional smoking of anything is really not harmful and will not jeopardize the viability of a nipple at the time of breast reduction.  Chronic smokers should stop several weeks before surgery to minimize the risks of the operation.

Will Smoking Hookah Negatively Effect my Nipples During Surgery?

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Will Smoking Hookah Negatively Effect my Nipples During Surgery?

Answers (8)

Answer: Breast Reduction and Smoking

Answer: Breast Reduction and Smoking

Answer: Smoking marijuana 3 times in 6 months will not increase the risks of breast reduction.

Answer: Smoking marijuana 3 times in 6 months will not increase the risks of breast reduction.

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Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.